Five on women's soccer team get MAC accolades

Nov. 30, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Five members of the Western Michigan University
women's soccer team were honored by the Mid-American Conference
for their performances in the Broncos' 2005 season.

Junior Chantal Robinson of Midland, Mich., was named to the
All-MAC First Team, while seniors Katie Ruzinsky of Shelby Township,
Mich., and Chelsea McNally of Tucson, Ariz., and junior Mandi
Marsh from Grosse Pointe Park, Mich., were chosen to the All-MAC
Second Team. Thalia Playford of Sudbury, Ontario, earned MAC
All-Freshman Team recognition.

Honored as one of the top three defenders in the league, Robinson
ranks as the Broncos' all-time assist leader (23), leading the
team with six helpers this season. She ranks fifth in MAC assists
(0.33 avg.) and is WMU's leading active career scorer with 47
points.

Ruzinsky, who earned All-MAC First Team accolades last season,
notched the game-winning goal against Ohio and assisted on the
game-winner against Eastern Michigan. The midfielder was also
named to the TD Banknorth Classic All-Tournament Team and finished
third in team scoring with 10 points (4 goals, 2 assists) in
19 games.

McNally, an All-MAC Second Team selection in 2004, shared
team honors with three game-winning goals. She earned MAC Player
of the Week honors in October and scored a pair of goals against
Toledo. She was recently named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic
All-District IV Third Team. Although a defender, McNally still
managed to lead active Broncos in career goals (13).

Marsh scored game-winning goals against Bowling Green, Central
Michigan and Northern Illinois and led the Broncos in shots (38).
Marsh appeared in all 19 games (making 11 starts), registering
four goals and eight points at the forward position.

Playford led WMU in goals (6) and points (13), ranking in
the top 10 among MAC players in both categories. The first-year
forward tallied goals in four straight games and scored twice
against regular season champion Bowling Green.

WMU finished its season 10-8-1 overall and 8-3-0 against MAC
opponents. The Broncos placed third in the conference and were
upset by lower-seeded Central Michigan University in the MAC
Tournament Quarterfinals played in Kalamazoo.